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I do not have a Soma Saga, but I do ride another one of their frames. Based on my experience, they make great frames: stiff, beautiful welds, and very nice paint. However, in my opinion, all of the frames and bikes you mentioned would work just fine for touring. If you have strong preferences for having exactly you want on the bike, it would be worth the extra cost of building up the frame yourself, if not, go with the complete bike. Personally, I'd get the Saga, just because I think it is the best looking of the lot (for me that matters), and I do want to choose every component. However, your mileage may vary.

Anyway to the point can someone tell me how long it would take to cycle from JFK to Laconia for Bike week and whether there are camp sites on the way. Can you also tell me whether the route I need to take is cycle friendly as well.It would be an opportunity to enjoy both of my hobbies.

I've never done that route, but I used Google Maps, and chose the bicycling tab. They put the distance (depending on the route) at around 313 miles. Their times are way off, but I would guess around a week trip or less for most folks. They recommend:

Well, it is pretty hard to go wrong with Shimano Deore LX hubs. Certainly not all flashy, but tough as nails, and they do seem to last a very long time. Around $50 for the rear, and $30 for the front. For something a little nicer you could go with XT. Yea I know, no bling value, no point in even trying to polish them, and certainly not as good as Phil's but....they do the job, and they do it well.

I never heard of the manufacturer before so was looking for opinions on its relative quality.

I have a Soma frame that I have had for over 4 years, and put thousands of miles on. In my opinion Soma frames very well built, designed, and finished. They are high quality frame from the steel used, to how nice the welds are, to how good the paint job is. I think they are a real bargain. Should you get one? Yes, by all means, I can't imagine you will ever regret getting a Soma Saga, and there will be no need to upgrade later.

Yep, that should work just fine. I do it a bit different in that I like to eat before I start my ride. So I carry breakfast food (dry cereal or instant oatmeal, powdered milk, banana) and eat before I set out early in the morning. Either way, you should have a great trip!

No I haven't ridden a Vaya, if your going to be changing a bunch of parts, you may wish to consider also the Soma Saga frame. That way you build it up exactly the way your wife wants it. The frame itself according to Soma, weighs 4.9 pounds in the 44 cm size, frame only. That is considerably less than the LHT (yes, it is still not a Waterford, but then it is about a grand or so cheaper at the current $479.00 sale price for the frame and fork). The 54 and smaller run 26" tires like you desire. I've been a fan of theirs since I bought one of their Groove MTB/adventure touring frames about 4 years ago. I've used it for touring, commuting, and with a tire change, trails. The welds and paint on the frame I bought are top notch, and it carries me (185 lbs.) and about 40 pounds of gear without a hitch. It also doesn't feel like a pig unloaded. They didn't have the Saga at the time I purchased my frame, if they had, I would have gone in that direction.

I done that trip, and I live near the California/Oregon border. I would suggest you leave no later than the very beginning of September. By the end of September it starts to get cold and rainy above San Francisco while south of that it is still sunny and warm. If you leave from BC no later than early September that you can expect some rain, but the rainy season in the North (given historical weather patterns) shouldn't have started yet. Have a great trip!

I'll give a simple answer to the OP's question. Yes, Gunnar frames are excellent. They are made by Waterford Cycles, one of the USA's premier custom steel frame builders, owned by Richard Schwinn (yes, that Schwinn). Gunnar is their more affordable (less fancy) line of frames.